Interestingly, Panthers General Manager Phil Gould made the announcement this afternoon rather than new club the Sharks - reminiscent of South Sydney owner Russell Crowe trumpeting Chris Sandow’s departure to Parramatta last year.

“It’s sad to lose a player of Michael’s calibre, and such a wonderful person,” Gould said in a statement.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone involved with our club, and our fans, in wishing Michael and his family well in the next three seasons at the Sharks. In the meantime, we look forward to Michael recovering from his current injury, and playing more football with the Panthers during the 2012 season.”

The Daily Telegraph understands Gordon was shopped around to rival clubs as a fullback, not a winger.

"We believe Michael can be in the top group of fullbacks and we certainly won't be discussing him as a winger for his next contract," manager Andrew Purcell said in February.

"And he will be going on the open market as a fullback if things don't work out.

"We tried to do his last deal as a fullback, but he hadn't played a game there at that point and people hadn't seen what he could do."